Developing Thailand as a regional trade and investment hub
The Thai government attaches importance to promoting foreign investment in an effort to develop Thailand into a trade and investment hub in this region and help enhance the country’s competitiveness.
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Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on 25 November 2016 gave a keynote address to the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Bangkok. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak summarized the Prime Minister’s address.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that the Government aims to promote business linkages and value chains, comprising "Super Cluster” and "Double S-Curve” policies. The objective is to attract investment in target industries, which will serve as the base of industries in the future.
The Government has adopted international trade negotiations as a way to facilitate trade and ease obstacles to imports and exports. It has also moved to expand new markets and create an innovation society by increasing investment in research and development. Transport infrastructure has also been developed, along with energy management and science and technology development.
Concerning labor management for greater efficiency and labor protection, the Government has focused on surveys to find out the labor demand and labor shortages in workplaces. Emphasis is also placed on enhancing the skills of Thai labor in response to the market demand, especially in the automobile and automotive industries, service sector, and tourism business, as well as hi-tech industries.
In this regard, labor skill training centers have been developed to the professional qualification and national skill standards. A mobile application, known as "Smart Labor,” has been developed, so that the people will be able to have greater access to labor services through smartphones and tablets.
The Government attaches great importance to the development of special economic zones. It has set a policy to develop new economic zones along border areas in order to promote trade with neighboring countries. This policy will also help distribute wealth to the regional areas of the country.
Regarding the development of private businesses, the Government focuses on the efficiency of the production sector. It is aware of the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in national development. A Pre-Research and Development Lab has also been set up and counseling services have been provided for new entrepreneurs.
Moreover, the Government has established incubation facilities in major cities to support "tech startups,” as well as SME and micro-SME operators.
